s2h team

Indian Oil women’s hockey team was formed only last year. However, the young team managed to unseat powerhouse Indian Railways, led by none other than Vandana Katariya, in the 3rd Hockey India Inter-Department National Championship here in New Delhi.

The victors: The Indian Oil Corporation Ltd’s team

Indian Railways have been winning the National titles since 1981 but the event was separately held for States and Departments since last three years. It won first two editions too without much difficulty.

The coming of new outfit in the form of the Indian Oil has seemingly upset its applecart, and with that the domestic hockey situation has turned fiercely competitive.

Coach Deepak Thakur with Jr India captain Suman Thodum

Udita led Indian Oil was 2-4 down in the third quarter of the thrilling final but the energetic team outwitted their seniors like Gurjit Kaur, Deep Grace Ekka, Monika Mallick and others to equalize in time to force a shoot out. Egged on by the entire Indian Oil staff, the young team which had the likes of Baljeet Kaur, Jyothi Runawat, Ishika Choudhury, Suman Thodum, Sharmila Devi came out successfully in the shoot out. Bichu Devi had become an instant star in front of their employers who turned up in numbers. It included Petroleum Secretary Pankaj Jain and Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, CMD, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.

Fast on feet and with flowing hockey, Udita’s side was on ascend from the word go but it was the great work under the bar by Rajani Etimarpu, who was later declared best goalkeeper of the meet, who effected numerous saves. Twice, she stood firm to deny three penalty corners in a trot. Over all, the Railways managed their penalty corner defence well which included a goaline save from youngster Shilpi Dabas.

However, the credit for scoring the first goal went to Vandana Katariya, who in a split second sent the ball between her legs in a close range melee (1-0). She added one more later.

Trained by veteran player Deepak Thakur, the team showed enough grit in the remainder of the game to take control of the proceedings in the last quarter.

Jothi shot twice, Sharmila Devi and Rajwinder Kaur each a piece that saw the contest getting into shoot out where Bichu Devi emerged victorious.

Other scorers for Railways were Marianja Kujur and Sangita Kumari.

International player Baljeet Kaur was declared ‘Player of the Tournament, whereas Rajani Etimarpu the Best Goalie title.

Vandana Katariya with 7 goals was the top scorer while Udita was declared the best midfielder.

1964 Olympic gold medallist Harbinder Singh & Zafar Iqbal, 1980 Moscow Olympian, gave away the bronze medals and trophy to Sports Authority of India team that beat SSB in the first match of the day.